Boehner: Spending Curbs, No Tax Hikes in Debt Deal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - John Boehner, the top
Republican in Congress, told deficit-reduction negotiators on
Sunday that budget cuts must exceed the amount by which the
debt ceiling is raised and said any deal must exclude tax
hikes.

An agreement that builds on the work of a group led by Vice
President Joe Biden shows the most promise, an aide to Boehner
said on Sunday, after negotiations by President Barack Obama
and congressional leaders at the White House lasted about 75
minutes.

"The Speaker told the group that he believes a package
based on the work of the Biden group is the most viable option
at this time for moving forward," the aide said.

Boehner told Sunday's session that Republicans consider as
"fundamental principles" that spending cuts should exceed the
amount they will agree to raise the debt ceiling, and that any
deal will restrain future spending and include "no tax hikes."
(Reporting by Laura MacInnis and Caren Bohan; Editing by
Philip Barbara)